Problem North Side hotel won't reopen before March

A notorious North Side motel that was closed last week by a judge's order will remain shuttered until at least March 4.

John Futty, The Columbus Dispatch

A notorious North Side motel that was closed last week by a judge’s order will remain shuttered until at least March 4.

That’s the new date for a hearing on the city’s request for an injunction against the Red Carpet Inn at 1289 E. Dublin-Granville Rd. The hearing on the injunction, which could close the motel for up to one year, had been set for yesterday, but the parties need more time to prepare.

Franklin County Environmental Court Judge Dan Hawkins ruled that his temporary order closing the motel will remain in force until the hearing.

The complaint filed by the Columbus city attorney’s office against the motel contends that the owner has done nothing to address concerns about criminal activity on the property.

The Police Division made at least 234 runs to the motel in 2012 and at least 358 runs last year, according to the area’s community-liaison officer. Those included the report of a homicide in 2012 and multiple complaints about shootings, prostitution and drug dealing.

The Red Carpet Inn had been a Motel 6 until last summer, when it was sold to Sunstar Columbus Inc. of Akron.